Low level light fixture

ABSTRACT

Low level light fixture for projection of usable light to all or part of the area surrounding the fixture while eliminating glare or direct light to persons walking thereby, and including a louvered construction that operates externally at temperatures not hazardous to persons touching same.

United States Patent Donald V. Vesely Lombard, Ill.

Jan. 17, 1969 July 13, l 971 General Signal Corporation New York, N.Y.

inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee LOW LEVEL LIGHT FIXTURE 8Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

u.s.cl 240/3, 240/25, 240/41. 1

F2lp5/00 Field of Search ..240/3. 11.2, 25,78 LD,4I.1.81,81BS,84,93,108

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,387,816 10/1945 Wagner240146.41 3,321,619 5/1967 Daily 240/11 3,363,092 1/1968 Harling et al.240/25 Primary Examiner- Samuel 8. Matthews Assistant Examiner- RichardL. Moses Artorney- Kinzer, Dorn and Zickert ABSTRACT: Low level lightfixture for projection of usable light to all or part of the areasurrounding the fixture while eliminating glare or direct light topersons walking thereby, and including a louvered construction thatoperates externally at temperatures not hazardous to persons touchingsame.

PATENTED JUL 1 3 l9?l sum 1 nr 2 INVENTOR DONALD V VESELY ATTORNEYSDONALD V VESELY ATTORNEYS LOW LEVEL LIGHT FIXTURE This invention relatesin general to a light fixture, and more particularly to a low levellight fixture for distributing light at a low level either completely orpartially therearound, and which operates at a cool temperature andprecludes glare or direct light to a person approaching the same.

The light fixture of the present invention is intended to be mounted ona pole at a relatively low height, such as approximately 36 inches abovegrade, and for projecting usable light either completely or partiallytherearound to provide illumination for pedestrians and/or vehicles. Thelight fixture is constructed so that heat is dissipated to eliminate anyhazard for a person approaching or touching same, and so that glareand/or direct light is eliminated relative to a person approaching same.The fixture includes a base member supporting thereon in stackedrelation a plurality of louver members and a prismatic lens. A hood ismounted over the louver members to protect the lamp enclosed within thefixture against direct precipitation. Any suitable type of lamp may beemployed, such as the well-known mercury vapor, metallic vapor. andincandescent types. The size and relative placement of the louvermembers eliminates glare, and the louver members further coact with theprismatic lens to accomplish the desired light distribution. Openingsare provided in the base member to coact with the gap between the lensand hood for permitting the movement of air through the fixture byvirtue of a chimneylike effect.

it is. therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved light fixture especially adapted for low level heights thateliminates glare and direct light while at the same time providing acool operating unit that is not hazardous to touch.

Another object of this invention is in the provision of a low levellight fixture that may selectively distribute light completely or partlytherearound.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to likeparts, in which;

FIG. 1 is an elevational view ofa light fixture according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the light fixture ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of the light fixture taken substantially along line 3-3ofFlG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a view of the light fixture taken substantially along line 4-4of FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, the light fixture of the presentinvention is generally indicated by the numeral and adapted to bemounted on a pole or post ll that is suitably supported in the ground.Since the fixture is intended for low level lighting, it will be mostgenerally mounted above the ground at a low level and approximately 36inches above the ground. However, it should be appreciated that thefixture may be mounted in any position relative to ground level andoperate equally as well. For example, the fixture may provide 360 lightdistribution and be especially useful for illuminating walkways,driveways, ramps, or any other area where low level lighting is desired.

The light fixture includes in general a base member l2, a plurality oflouver members 13, a hood 1, and a lens 15. The base member and louvermembers are preferably cast of a suitable metal, such as aluminum, whilethe hood may be suitably fabricated of sheet steel or the like. The lensmay comprise a molded or otherwise formed heat-resisting glass body.

The base 12 includes an inverted frustoconical wall 16 connected at itslower end by a plurality of ribs 17 to a central hub or boss 18. Theribs 17 have defined therebetween air openings 19.A lamp socket 20 ofany suitable type is mounted at the upper end of the boss 18, the latterbeing hollow and internally threaded to receive the upper end of thepole ll.

Suitable electric wiring may be passed through the center of the pole orpipe and the boss 18 to the lamp socket 20. A lamp 21 is illustrated inposition in the lamp socket 10. As already indicated, the lamp may be ofthe mercury vapor, metallic vapor, or incandescent type.

A radial flange 22 in the form of an annular support member is formed atthe upper end of the base member wall 16 after supporting the louvermembers l3 and lens 15. An annular channel 23 is formed on the uppersurface of the support member and at the inner edge thereof to receivethe lower end of the generally cylindrical lens 15. A gasket 24 isprovided in the channel 23 against which the lens l5 directly engages.

Each of the louver members 13 are identical in shape and include aplurality of circumferentially spaced bosses 25, each of which isprovided with an internal bore 26, and a louver portion 27 extendingoutwardly from the bosses 25. The louver portions 27 are concavo-convexin shape looking at them from below, and are preferably finished on theconcave side with aluminum reflecting paint, and on the convex side andthe outer edges with flat black paint. The lower outer edge of thelouver portion 27 extends downwardly at least to the lower end of theboss 25 preferably a slight distance therebelow to assure theelimination of glare and direct light. The bosses of the lowermostlouver l3 fit within a recess 28 formed in the upper surface of thesupport member 22. The upper end of each boss is formed with a recess 29to receive the lower end of each next highest boss of the next highestlouver. A plurality of aligning rods or bolts 30 are fastened at theirlower ends to the support member 22 of the base member 12 and at thecenter of a recess 28. Accordingly, it is preferably that the louvers 13have the same number of bosses as there are rods supported on the basemember, so that upon assembly of the fixture, the rods facilitate theaccurate positioning of the louvers which are arranged in stacked ornested relation. Any number of louvers may be employed in a fixture. itcan be appreciated that distribution of light from the fixture is atleast somewhat controlled by the louver portions 27 of the louvers l3.This light distribution is in an outwardly and downwardly direction ingeneral, and will therefore be effective for illuminating the areasurrounding the fixture.

The hood [4 may be square or dome'shaped, and is sup ported on saidfixture by a plurality oflens-retainer and hoodmounting brackets 31. Thenumber of louvers l3 will be such that the combined height of alllouvers will approximate the height of the lens l5. Accordingly, eachbracket 1 includes an upstanding bar 32 having a bent leg 33 at theupper end suitably secured to the hood 14 such as by fastener 34, and alower horizontally extending bar 35 that includes a hole 36 for fittingover the upper end of the rod 30. A holddown tab 37 and a positioningtab 38 coacts with the upper end of the lens [5 to hold same in place.The holddown tab 37 fits over the upper end of the lens to hold it downin place in the channel 23, while tab 38 extends downwardly from the bar35 and engages against the outer surface of the lens 15 to properlyposition the lens within the annular louvers l3.

A nut 38 is received on the upper ends of each rod 30 to fasten eachbracket 31 thereto and in place to hold the louvers 13 down against thesupport member 22 of the base member 12, and to hold down the lens 15.Each bracket 31, and it may be presumed that any number may be provided,is essentially Z-shaped. It should be appreciated that the brackets 31space the hood [4 above the lens 15 and define a gap therebetween forthe movement of air therethrough which gap coacts with the openings 19in the base member 12 to allow the flow of air upwardly through thefixture and around the lamp and lens, thereby maintaining the fixture ata sufficiently cool temperature as to the outside surfaces that touchingthereby is not hazardous to the person.

The lens 15 has its exterior face suitably prism-formed to coact withthe louvers in the distribution of light uniformly over the area to beilluminated. As seen in FIG. 2, the lens includes prisms graduated fromthe upper and lower ends to an intermediate area, and receive the lightrays from the lamp and redistribute same uniformly over the area to beilluminated and project the light rays away from the fixture.

In the event that light is only desired to be distributed a part of theway around the fixture, a specular reflector 40 may be positioned at theinner side ofthe lens As can be appreciated, the lower edge of thereflector would be received in the chan- 1el 23, while the upper edgewould be supported by the holdlown 37. For example, the specularreflector may be l80 in extent thereby intensifying the light in onedirection and :liminating the light in the opposite directions It willbe understood that modifications and variations may ae effected withoutdeparting from the scope ofthe novel con- :epts ofthe present invention.

I hereby claim the invention as follows:

I. A low level light fixture adapted to be supported on a )ole at aheight below the eye level of persons walking hereby, said fixtureincluding a base member adapted to be ecured to the pole and having alamp socket, said base nember having an annular support member, aplurality of uplanding rods extending upwardly from said support member,I plurality of identical stacked annular louver members having testedboss means received in guiding relation on said rods ind supported bysaid support member. a lens positioned vithin said louver members ofsubstantially the same height as aid stacked louver members andsupported on said support nember, a hood over said uppermost louverhaving a plurality iflens retainer and hood mounting brackets beingreceived on aid rods and fastened thereto, said brackets defining a gapietween the upper end of the lens and the hood, and openings in saidbase member permitting air to pass therethrough upwardly through theinterior of the lens around the lamp and out through the gap at the hood2, A low level light fixture as defined in claim I, wherein said louvermembers are sized and formed to preclude direct light or objectionableglare to persons walking thereby 3. A low level light fixture as definedin claim I, wherein said louver members have a concave-convex shapelooking from the base member to direct light outwardly and downwardly,

4. A low level light fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said basemember includes a channel to guide placement of the lens, and recessesfor guiding placement of the bosses of the lowermost louver,

S. A low level light fixture as defined in claim I, wherein each louvermember includes recesses at the upper ends of the boss means receivingthe next upper bosses and defining a nesting relationship.

6r A low level light fixture as defined in claim I, wherein saidlens-retainer and hood-mounting bracket has lens engaging fingers forpositioning ofsaid lens relative to said louvers.

7. A low level light fixture as defined in claim I, and a reflectorpositioned on the inside of said lens reflecting light through the lensnot covered by the reflector,

8. A low level light fixture as defined in claim I, wherein said lens isprism formed on its outer surface to redistribute the light rays fromthe lamp outwardly away from the fixture and uniformly over the area tobe illuminated,

1. A low level light fixture adapted to be supported on a pole at aheight below the eye level of persons walking thereby, said fixtureincluding a base member adapted to be secured to the pole and having alamp socket, said base member having an annular support member, aplurality of upstanding rods extending upwardly from said supportmember, a plurality of identical stacked annular louver members havingnested boss means received in guiding relation on said rods andsupported by said support member, a lens positioned within said louvermembers of substantially the same height as said stacked louver membersand supported on said support member, a hood over said uppermost louverhaving a plurality of lens retainer and hood mounting brackets beingreceived on said rods and fastened thereto, said brackets defining a gapbetween the upper end of the lens and the hood, and openings in saidbase member permitting air to pass therethrough upwardly through theinterior of the lens around the lamp and out through the gap at thehood.
 2. A low level light fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein saidlouver members are sized and formed to preclude direct light orobjectionable glare to persons walking thereby.
 3. A low level lightfixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said louver members have aconcavo-convex shape looking from the base member to direct lightoutwardly and downwardly.
 4. A low level light fixture as defined inclaim 1, wherein said base member includes a channel to guide placementof the lens, and recesses for guiding placement of the bosses of thelowermost louver.
 5. A low level light fixture as defined in claim 1,wherein each louver member includes recesses at the upper ends of theboss means receiving the next upper bosses and defining a nestingrelationship.
 6. A low level light fixture as defined in claim 1,wherein said lens-retainer and hood-mounting bracket has lens engagingfingers for positioning of said lens relative to said louvers.
 7. A lowlevel light fixture as defiNed in claim 1, and a reflector positioned onthe inside of said lens reflecting light through the lens not covered bythe reflector.
 8. A low level light fixture as defined in claim 1,wherein said lens is prism formed on its outer surface to redistributethe light rays from the lamp outwardly away from the fixture anduniformly over the area to be illuminated.